Tuesday, May 1, 2012

Privacy Policy Comparison

I ranked Microsoft Skydrive, Dropbox, iCloud, SugarSync, Google Drive, and Box in order from most safe to least safe when it comes to your personal information.

Microsoft Skydrive (Source: http://privacy.microsoft.com/en-us/fullnotice.mspx)

  • Uses cookies
  • Collects your information from third parties
  • Will not share your information outside of “Microsoft and its controlled subsidiaries and affiliates” without your permission and allows you to choose what information is shared
  • May disclose your information in legal matters

Dropbox (Source: https://www.dropbox.com/terms)

  • Permission to pass on your files to third parties
  • Permission to use your feedback you provide to them

iCloud (Source: http://www.apple.com/privacy/)

  • May share your information with its affiliates
  • May ask for your SSN in certain circumstances
  • Uses your information when you enter promotions, contests, and sweepstakes
  • Uses cookies
  • Collects and stores your specific computer information; may use to market and advertise
  • May make personal information available to certain strategic partners
  • May share information with companies that provide services, such as credit processing
  • May disclose your information in legal matters
  • May use and share your location information
  • Your information "may be transferred or accessed by entities around the world"

SugarSync (Source: http://www.sugarsync.com/privacy.html

  • Stores your files on servers and files are kept 90 days after you delete them
  • "no access to your Facebook or Twitter account nor do we store your login information."
  • Uses cookies
  • Does not share your information with third parties without your consent
  • May provide personal information to affiliates
  • " May use third parties to perform services related to our operations such as a payment processors" which then have access to your personal information and are required to follow the SugarSync privacy policy

Google Drive (Source: https://www.google.com/intl/en/policies/privacy/)

  • Associates your phone number and other device properties with your Google account
  • May collect and process your location information
  • May collect and store your personal information onto your device
  • Uses cookies
  • May show others your Google Profile if they know your email address
  • May process your personal information on a server outside of your home country
  • May share your personal information with other companies, when you grant permission to do so
  • Your information is available to your domain provider
  • May provide your personal information to affiliates
  • May share non-personal information publicly and to partners
  • Restricts access to personal information to Google employees

  Box (Source: https://www.box.com/signup/g)

  • May receive your information from other companies
  • May request information during surveys, contests, and sweepstakes
  • Collects device information 
  • Uses cookies
  • May store information on systems in the US and around the world
  • May share non-personal (aggregate) data with partners and advertisers
  • Past information about your account may be available to your email domain administrator
  • May disclose your information in legal matters
  • Gives you opportunities to connect with third parties, your permission required
  • May share personal information during a merge or acquisition 












 

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

WolframAlpha, Qwiki, Sporcle

Evernote


Evernote is basically an online notepad that you can take with you on your phone, computer, and online account. You can organize your notes into different "notebooks," so they're easier to find when you are looking for something in particular. I plan to use this in the future because not only does it store my notes online for me, but I can also download the app on my phone so my note are there as well. Evernote will be a great replacement for my sticky notes and written-on napkins I currently use to write down my to-do lists on. This application is a great way to store and organize your notes, and I think it will become a  great resource for me.

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

"Technology helps boost fitness, sexual health"

Technology and fitness is the topic that that my google alerts website led me to. Click here for the website!
If you have ever seen the movie Wall-E, you may be familiar with this picture:
This is what people think about when they hear the words "fitness" and "technology" in the same sentence. Although it's true that "couch potatoes" are becoming a trend, technology can actually help people trying to get into shape. There a lot of devices that can help you keep track of steps walked, calories burned, calorie intake, etc. I know that in the past members of my family have used such technology, and it can help you as you work out, especially if you are embarrassed or tired of having to write down your progress where it could easily get lost.
Another thing that technology is helping with is in the teen world. Nowadays if a teen girl or guy has a question about sex, they might just go online instead of asking a parent or friend. Even though the internet has a lot of false information, not all websites are lies. Girls can also keep track of things like their menstrual cycle on a smart phone, and it can help you keep that part of your life more private.